Butte semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1886-1890, 1887-02-26
LIGHTNING FLASHES.
Southern Europe Jarred-Labor Con.
vention-Passage OF Retalia.
tory Fishery Bill.
CONGRESSIONAL.


WASHINGTON, February 23.-Dingley,
Maine, presented memorials of the Mair
!. legislature in favor Of legislation to pr,
tect American fisheries, and for the passa,
OF the Pleuro.P Pneumonia Bill.
Belmont, from the Committee on Foreie
Affairs, reported the House Substitute Bi
for the Senate Reta)iatory Bill, and unde
special order asked for it's immediat
consideration.
It was finally determined that the debat
should be limited to three hours. Belmon
opened the debate by dwelling upon the i'm
portance OF the subject on which tn
House was asked to act. The question OF
fisheries was one which had engaged tn
attention of the Government from it.
foundation, and though from time to tim,
temporary arrangements had settled it, il
bad now reached point when it agar
demanded the serious consideration of tn.
country. 1t was not merely 9
commercial question, simply affecting the
restriction on American fishermen. The
important question was whether the United
States was willing to acquiesce in the re-
peated violation of the treaty. He briefly
| sketChed the course OF Canadian legisla.
! tion, and commented upon it in the l:ght
OF the correspondents recently passed be-
tween Great Britain and the United States.
Soon after the adjournment OF Congress
| the fishing season would commence, and
in self defence the power Of defensive retail.
iation should be conferred upon the
President. There had been no ques-
tion in the Senate as to the advisability
OF giving this power, but the best as it
came from the Senate was open to objec-
tions. We had certain rights on the deep
sea fisheries, which no other nation ex-
cept Great Britain herself possessed. 1t
was but fair to the Executive, when Con-
gress placed upon him the great RESPONSE
bility, that it should be conferred in dis
tinct terms. This he did not think the
Senate bill did and he therefore favored the
adoption OF the substitute.
r ce said there should be no party in
this important question; which affected the
entire nation. The Senate bill was not g
party bill, but had been passed after care
ful consideration and able discussion by
the votes of Senators OF both sides of the
chamber. Something must be done to pro-
tect our national honor. During the past
year one hundred of our vessels have been
subjected TO search and some of them to
seizure by Canadian authorities for
touching at Canadian ports for purposes
OF trade. 1t was q vital question to
American honor whether any Canadian Of
fcer possessed such right OF search and
seizure. A vessel named Grover Cleveland
had been stopped. and a vessel named T.
F. Bayard had been warned of as a sus-
picious character. 1t was important that
there should be power to protect American
honor when affected in SO vital point.
ho FOL. ol offa
dy. If Greet Britain shut out our vessels
we would shut out her fish. If she
shut the door in our face we
would say mot at home," when she sent
up her card to US.
The Substitute Bill suggested the viola
tion OF our treaty obligations with Great
Britain, which, to his mind, was absolutely
and not only unnecessary,
but impolitic. The Senate Bill courted,
promptly and effectively, every necessity
of the case." We did hot want any war
with Great Britain. This gasconading talk
about war with Great Britain was non
sense: We could not afford to go to war
with Great Britain.
Milliken, Majne-suppose she should go
to war with us.
Rice replied, 1--WE would undoubtedly
whip her in that event, but theue was no
necessity for war. One year OF exclusion
Of Canadian fish would bring to an end all
injuries which were being perpetrated upon
our fishermen
Davis, Massachusetts,, spoke in support |
Of the Senate bill, and appealed for action |
which would preserve the interests OF the |
hardy fishermen of New England.
Clements, Georgia. stated that the sub |
'titute was a committee measure, and ma
,erially different from the Belmont Bill, |
nd 1A ttAl hat 3 H.
;ussion of SO grave question |
Is was now pending. The gentleman from |
Aassa cbusetts (Rice) would seek to give il |
partisan tinge. The trouble with Cana |
la had originated in what had been called |
! "mere skirmish" about fish, but it had |
assumed larger proportions than q skir-
nish. The American flag had been hauled |
lown, and $50 American vessels been |
searched or warned off, aud the honor of |
he Government was involved.
He contended that the remedy was bet.
er provided for in the substitute than in |
he Senate bill and he criticised the latter
measure for claiming only the same rights
or our fishermen that were accorded to
'ubjects OF the most favored nations The
ubstitute was better framed in /
his respect. Another difference between
he two measures was that the House Bill |
authorizes the President to stop the COM
ng OF locomotives and cars into the United |
States. Gentlemen from ths Northwest |
hould not complain of this provision.
This was not local question. He hoped
hat tie President would not be required |
10 exercise any part OF the power conferred |
lpon him, but when it was proposed to
leal with the question on the basis of non.
the Government ought not to |
top with the mere prohibition OF the
incoming of Canadinn fish.
BULLETIN.
The House passed with but One dissent
ng vote the Senate fisheries retaliation
ill amended by the adoption OF the substi-
ute reported from the Committee on
'oreign Affairs.